Black Friday 2025: The Return of In-Store Giveaways

As Black Friday 2025 approaches on November 28, retailers are gearing up to entice shoppers with a blend of deep discounts and the much-anticipated return of in-store giveaways. This year, the focus is on driving early foot traffic, with major chains like Lowe’s, Target, Kohl’s, and JCPenney offering exclusive freebies and grand prizes for the first customers through their doors. Shoppers are advised to set their alarms and check local store hours, as these coveted offers are strictly limited.

Lowe’s Leads with “Black Friday Bucket of Gifts”

Home improvement giant Lowe’s is making headlines with its nationwide “Lowe’s Black Friday Bucket of Gifts” giveaway. Valued at up to $100, these complimentary buckets will be distributed to the first 50 MyLowe’s Rewards members at every participating location when stores open at 6 a.m. on November 28, 2025. Membership to MyLowe’s Rewards is free and can be verified via the Lowe’s mobile app or by providing the phone number linked to the account. No purchase is necessary to claim a bucket, but supplies are limited, emphasizing the need for early arrival.

Each signature Lowe’s blue bucket is packed with practical items for home projects, including:

• One Great Stuff Gap Canister
• One Valspar Paint Brush
• One WD-40 product
• A coupon for a free paint sample
• One additional product chosen by the sponsor

Adding to the excitement, one lucky bucket at each Lowe’s store will contain a Grand Prize certificate. This certificate is redeemable in-store by November 30, 2025, for any in-stock major appliance priced at $2,000 or less, offering a significant incentive for early birds (digitaltrendstoday.com).

Other Retailers Join the Black Friday Freebie Frenzy

Lowe’s isn’t the only retailer drawing crowds with giveaways this Black Friday. Several other major stores are also offering enticing promotions:

• Target: Opening at 6 a.m., Target will give away a FREE Holiday Tote Bag (valued between $99 and $350) to the first 100 guests at each store. Ten lucky bags per store will also contain an extra prize valued at $99 or more, such as a Ninja SLUSHi Frozen Drink Maker, a $100 Target Gift Card, or Beats Headphones.
• Kohl’s: Doors open at 5 a.m., and the first 200 customers nationwide will instantly receive $5 to $100 in Kohl’s Cash. Additionally, ten of these early shoppers across the country will win a grand prize of $10,000.
• JCPenney: From 5 a.m. to 6 a.m., JCPenney will be giving away a FREE mini Snoopy Snow Globe. Shoppers also have chances to win prizes like a $500 off $500 coupon or a Cuisinart Coffee Center at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m.
• Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s: For outdoor enthusiasts, these stores open at 5 a.m., offering the first 250 customers a mystery promo card worth $10 to $500. These cards can be spent between December 5 and December 27.
• Fleet Farm: The first 500 customers at each Fleet Farm location, starting at 5 a.m., will receive a FREE moose plush.

Black Friday Store Hours and Online Deals

While many retailers are focusing on in-store incentives, online shopping remains a significant part of Black Friday. Most major stores, including Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Macy’s, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025) and reopen early on Black Friday, November 28, 2025, typically between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. However, specific hours may vary by location, so checking individual store websites is recommended.

For those who prefer to shop from home, many Black Friday deals have already begun online. Walmart+ members received early access to online deals starting November 24, with general online sales commencing on November 25 and continuing through November 30. Target’s official Black Friday sale will begin online on November 27, extending through Cyber Week 2025 (digitaltrendstoday.com).

This Black Friday, retailers are clearly emphasizing a return to the traditional in-store shopping experience, blending competitive pricing with exciting giveaways to create a memorable start to the holiday shopping season.